‘Speed up planning process’ to help solve the housing crisis says Michael O’Flynn

A fast-track planning process with applications decided on by a special division of An Bord Pleanála would help solve the housing crisis, property developer Michael O’Flynn has said.

Legislation could be amended to allow developers lodge applications directly to the board, bypassing local authorities, and that this could “bring forward tens of thousands of houses quickly”, he said.

Currently projects given strategic infrastructure status by the board, such as the proposed incinerator in Ringaskiddy, make their applications directly to the board. Mr Flynn said a similar system would be set up for the next couple of years to tackle the housing crisis “because this [housing] is strategic infrastructure”.